TRIBAL RISINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16819, 23 August 1922, Page 6

TRIBAL RISINGS.

’PLANES FOR TROPICAL PARTS. AIR MINISTRY’S PROGRAMME, By Telegraph—Press Awsooiation- -Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 23, 9.59 a.m.) LONDON, August 22. The Air Ministry is building two allsteel aeroplanes, each capable of carrying twenty-five fully equipped soldiers, with machine-guns and ammunition. The aeroplanes are intended for operations in tropical parts of the Empire, where the chief danger consists of risings amongst isolated insurrectionary tribes. Forced marches to outposts in hot countries will thus be obviated. The machines will probably be first tried in Mesopotamia. ” India is woefully behind the times as regards her air forces and equipment,” states a recent message, hue she is improving, and a tew months will see 70 active machines. One-hun-dred active machines, with reserves, will meet the requirements of the frontier. The bomb supply is ample. Further, an efficient air force on the frontier would be able to cope with recalcitrant tribes more effectively and economically than the military forces had done during th© last seventy years.